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Colombo Walking Tour: Fort & Pettah with Ajeet De Soyza

44 Reviews 4.86 out of 5 stars Based on 44 reviews collected by City Balloon Tours and TripAdvisor |
Recommended by 95% of reviewers
95% of reviewers gave this experience a rating of 4 or higher.
|
Badge of Excellence |Badge of Excellence This experience is highly rated by travelers and has met our top quality standards. Colombo, Sri Lanka
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from $45 per person

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Colombo Walking Tour: Fort & Pettah with Ajeet De Soyza Image 1
Your host
Central Point
Dutch Hospital
Relics at the Gangaramaya Temple
Don't miss out!
On average, this is booked 43 (25) days in advance.
3 to 4 hours (approx.)
Hotel pickup offered
Mobile ticket
Offered in: English
Instant confirmation

Overview

Small group walking tour of Colombo Fort and Pettah with a guide who has worked in the Fort since 1993, covering colonial landmarks, hidden gems and the stories behind them.

Travelers will join Ajeet De Soyza, who went to school in Kotahena and began his career in the old Victoria Arcade, for a relaxed walk through Colombo’s historic Fort district and the lively streets of Pettah. Along the way you will see the Portuguese, Dutch and British layers of the city, the red Cargills building, the Grand Oriental Hotel and St Peter’s Church, and hear the stories that never made it onto a plaque, from how a Cargills family member went on to help found British Petroleum to the clubs, bars and merchant houses of old Colombo.

Tuk tuk rides link the longer stretches, and a few hidden gems are saved for the end. Ajeet keeps the group small and the pace easy, with plenty of time for questions, and shapes the walk around what interests you most.

What's Included

  • Bottled water
  • Private transportation
  • Government Fees
  • Donation to the Temple considered as the Admission Fee. A ticket will be issued by the Temple.
See 1 more

Meeting and Pickup

Pickup point
Pickup details

The pickup will usually be at the lobby or at the reception area of the hotel. The guide will get in touch with you after the booking is made to arrange the pickup

OR
Meeting point
End point

2 Galle Road
Colombo 00300, Sri Lanka

Detailed check-in instructions, including the exact address, are provided with your booking confirmation.

What To Expect

Book Online

Our secure website provides real-time availability, instant confirmation, and free, no-hassle cancellations up to 24 hours before your tour begins.
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King Sri Wickrama Rajasinghe Prison Cell

The Last King of Sri Lanka, Sri Wickrama Rajasingha was captured on the 18th February 1815 in Madamahanuwara and was transferred to Colombo without entering Kandy. On the 6th of March 1815 the King and his escort entered the Colombo Fort where they were received by Colonel Kerr, the commandant of the garrison. Here King Sri Wickrama Rajasingha remained for nearly a year till the 24th of January 1816 when he and his family were deported to Vellore, India aboard the HMS Cornwallis.
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10 minutes Admission Ticket Free

Dutch Hospital Shopping Precinct

The Old Colombo Dutch Hospital (known as The Dutch Hospital) is considered to be the oldest building in the Colombo Fort area dating back to the Dutch colonial era in Sri Lanka. It is now a heritage building and a shopping and dining precinctIt is believed to have existed since 1681 when the Dutch established the Colombo hospital to look after the health of the officers and other staff serving under the Dutch East India Company. The hospital's proximity to the harbour allowed it to serve Dutch seafarers
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10 minutes Admission Ticket Free

Colombo Fort Clock Tower

You will be taken through the heart of the central business district which is full of colonial architecture. The clock tower in fort is a unique strucuture in the city on many aspects
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5 minutes Admission Ticket Free

Central Bank Currency Museum

The construction of the building commenced in 1911, with the laying of its foundation stone and at the time of its opening it was the tallest building in Colombo. Designed in a Greco-Roman architectural style, with a colonnade of Corinthian columns at the building's entrance. It has a circular glass dome with a tapering central atrium that lets light into the circular inner halls throughout all seven floors and features the tallest chandelier in Asia.
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10 minutes Admission Ticket Free

Cargills Department Store

The old Cargills & Millers Buildings in Colombo are considered to be the oldest department stores in Sri Lanka.A Dutch building was originally on the land where the present Cargills & Millars buildings are located and it had been occupied by Sir Frederick North (1766-1827), the first British Governor of Ceylon from 1798 to 1805. In 1844, a British businessman William Miller started his company at this premises by replacing the old Dutch building and in 1896, it was acquired by David Sime Cargill, a Scottish businessman who headed the popular Cargills & Company
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5 minutes Admission Ticket Free

Grand Oriental Hotel

The Grand Oriental Hotel was officially opened on 5 November 1875, had 154 luxury and semi-luxury rooms, and was the first of the modern type of imposing hotels erected in the East.The original building on the site was a simple, single-storey structure with an open verandah to the street inhabited by a Dutch Governor. In 1837 it was converted into barracks for the British Army.The task of converting the building into a hotel was undertaken by the then Governor Sir Robert Wilmot-Horton, engaging the architect of the Public Works Department, James George Smither, who was also responsible for the National Museum of Colombo, Colombo General Hospital and the old Colombo Town Hall. The estimated cost to build the hotel was 2,007 pounds but it is noteworthy that the hotel was constructed within one year under the estimated 1,868 pounds.
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15 minutes Admission Ticket Free

Jami Ul-Alfar Mosque

Popularly known as the Red Mosque, the place of workship is a unique materpiece
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5 minutes Admission Ticket Free

Titus Stores (pass by)

A family-run business for over 90 years, TITUS STORES was founded in 1924, and initially began as TITUS LAMP STORES, selling petrol lamps called TITUS Lamps. With the advent of electricity in Sri Lanka, the business shifted to homeware, gifts, and HORECA (Hotel Restaurant Catering) items and changed its name to TITUS STORES
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Old Town Hall

Amongst the little known historic monuments of Colombo, is large gothic church-like mansion in the old business quarter of Pettah. People, both locals and tourists, pass it by with little thought to what it contains – a veritable treasure trove of artifacts. It vanishes among the landscape surrounded by equally dated buildings, colorful modern shops and other interesting pieces of architecture. The fact that it’s in one of the busiest sectors of the city doesn’t help. This building is the Old Town Hall, once the seat of the Colombo Municipality and was the main location for council meetings in Colombo.
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15 minutes Admission Ticket Included

Pettah (pass by)

Explore first hand the busy markets of the Pettah Bazaar
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Colombo Fort Railway Station

Built by the British, the Fort Railway station is the major hub in the Colombo city
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15 minutes Admission Ticket Included

Gangaramaya (Vihara) Buddhist Temple

The Gangaramaya Buddhist Temple is the main temple in the Colombo city with it's unique architecture influenced by many cultures
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20 minutes Admission Ticket Free

Galle Face Hotel

Sri Lanka’s iconic landmark, The Galle Face Hotel, is situated in the heart of Colombo, along the seafront and facing the famous Galle Face Green. The Galle Face Hotel embraces its rich history and legendary traditions, utilizing them to create engaging, immersive experiences that resonate with old and new generations of travellers alike.Known as South Asia’s leading Grande Dame, the Galle Face Hotel is testimony to both Sri Lanka’s colonial past and its independent present. International guests are immersed in the Hotel’s rich traditions and compelling stories, and even a short visit to the hotel is an experience of timeless grandeur and exceptional hospitality.The Hotel started as a Dutch villa called Galle Face House that had been a meeting place for gentlemen of the colonial era. That was until four British entrepreneurs decided to use it to start a business, unaware that, by the late 19th century, it would be known as the best hotel East of Suez.
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15 minutes Admission Ticket Free

Galle Face Green (pass by)

Based on the time of the day, you will be able to see the activities on the Green whilst getting a glimpse into the past of the green with iconic buildings such as the Old Parliament and the famous Galle Face Hotel
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Old Parliament Building (pass by)

This Neo-Baroque-style building was built during the British colonial era to house the Legislative Council of Ceylon. It was built on an idea of Sir Henry McCallum, which led to a proposal made by a committee to construct the new building for the Secretariat, Council Chamber and Government offices on reclaimed land at the northern end of Galle Face’ were accepted by the Government in 1920.The chief architect of the Public Works Department, A. Woodson was responsible for the design of the building with his initial estimate of Rs 400,000 for the scheme being later revised Rs 450,000, taking into account the extra expenses involved.The British Coat of Arms adorned the top of the building face till 1948, when it was replaced by the arms of the Dominion of Ceylon and was once again replaced in 1972 with the arms of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka.
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Show 14 more stops

Additional Info

  • Confirmation is instant and will be received at time of booking
  • Public transportation options are available nearby
  • Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
  • Suitable for all physical fitness levels
  • Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
  • This tour/activity will have a maximum of 8 travelers

Frequently Asked Questions (8)

Q: What is the cancellation policy for the Colombo Walking Tour: Fort & Pettah with Ajeet De Soyza?

A: You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the tour for a full refund. For a full refund, you must cancel at least 24 hours before the tour start time.If you cancel less than 24 hours before the tour start time, the amount you paid will not be refunded.Any changes made less than 24 hours before the tour start time will not be accepted.Cut-off times are based on the tour local time (+0530).This tour requires a minimum number of travelers. If it’s canceled because the minimum isn’t met, you’ll be offered a different date/experience or a full refund. Read more Apr 2025

Cancellation Policy

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the tour for a full refund.

Still have questions?

We're here to help.
Activity code: C-111860P3

Traveler Photos

Reviews

4.86
44 reviews

Average 4.86 out of 5 stars based on 44 traveler reviews collected by City Balloon Tours and partner sites such as Cool Destinations and TripAdvisor

5 stars
41
4 stars
1
3 stars
1
2 stars
1
1 star
0
Don't miss out!
On average, this is booked 43 (25) days in advance.
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Frequently Asked Questions (8)

Activity name

The answers provided below were previously given in response to questions from City Balloon Tours customers.

Filter by:

Q: What is the cancellation policy for the Colombo Walking Tour: Fort & Pettah with Ajeet De Soyza?
A:
You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the tour for a full refund.
  • For a full refund, you must cancel at least 24 hours before the tour start time.
  • If you cancel less than 24 hours before the tour start time, the amount you paid will not be refunded.
  • Any changes made less than 24 hours before the tour start time will not be accepted.
  • Cut-off times are based on the tour local time (+0530).
  • This tour requires a minimum number of travelers. If it’s canceled because the minimum isn’t met, you’ll be offered a different date/experience or a full refund.
Apr 2025
Q: What's included in the price?
A:
The following is included:
  • Bottled water.
  • Private transportation.
  • Government Fees.
The following is NOT included:
  • Donation to the Temple considered as the Admission Fee. A ticket will be issued by the Temple.
Apr 2025
Q: What is the weather cancellation policy?
A:

This tour requires good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund.

Apr 2025
Q: What is the minimum age for this tour?
A:

The minimum age to participate is 18..

Apr 2025
Q: My date is not available in the calendar, I am just checking to see if it is available?
A:

If a date or time is not listed on the calendar, it’s sold out or unavailable for another reason. Support cannot assist further if a date or time is not on the calendar.

If you find a date and time that works for you, book it NOW because things always sell out at this time of year.

Apr 2025
Q: Is this an accessible tour?
A:

Accessibility information for the Colombo Walking Tour: Fort & Pettah with Ajeet De Soyza is as follows:

  • Public transportation options are available nearby
  • Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
  • Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Apr 2025
Q: Where is the meeting point for this activity?
A:

Detailed check-in instructions – including meeting point address, Google map, and parking information – for Colombo Walking Tour: Fort & Pettah with Ajeet De Soyza will be included in your confirmation email from City Balloon Tours. Please be sure to double and triple check your email address is correct at checkout so this important email makes its way to you!

 

 

Mar 2024
Q: How long does a refund take to reach my card, and can I get it faster?
A:

Once your refund is processed, it usually shows on your card statement within 5–10 business days. The exact timing depends on your bank or card issuer.

Want it sooner? When you cancel, choose Receive a refund to my wallet instead. The credit is in your Wallet straight away and is applied automatically at checkout on your next booking when you’re signed in with the same email. You can see your balance any time in My Wallet.

If you paid part of your booking with Wallet credit, that part always goes back to your Wallet. Trip protection isn’t refundable.

Oct 2026

What's Included

Activity name

  • Bottled water
  • Private transportation
  • Government Fees
  • Donation to the Temple considered as the Admission Fee. A ticket will be issued by the Temple.

Additional Info

Activity name

  • Confirmation is instant and will be received at time of booking
  • Public transportation options are available nearby
  • Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
  • Suitable for all physical fitness levels
  • Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
  • This tour/activity will have a maximum of 8 travelers

Report Product Issue

Activity name